It should come as no surprise that this corner of Charlotte – with the deepest heritage, richest culture and wildest creative flair – is also the city’s go-to place to play.

Of course, “play” means different things to different people. But, whether it’s doing a pub crawl or a gallery crawl, taking in a six-course meal or a three-act play, shopping for an exotic book or an erotic tatt, watching a foreign film or a local street performer, grooving to live jazz or 33 rpm vinyl, it’s all here. And then some.

Oh, and don’t even ask about all the special events and festivals that take place virtually every week of the year. No, wait, go ahead and ask. Here’s the answer.